Occurrence of black Aspergilli in indoor environments of six countries

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Food Safety

Background:

• Black Aspergilli (Aspergillus section Nigri) are ubiquitous fungi found in diverse environments.
• These fungi are significant as food spoilage agents, potential human pathogens, and producers of mycotoxins like ochratoxins and fumonisins.
• Ochratoxins are linked to renal disorders, highlighting the need to identify mycotoxin-producing species in indoor settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diversity and species distribution of black Aspergilli in indoor environments across six countries.
• To identify specific black Aspergillus species, including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus welwitschiae, and Aspergillus carbonarius, and their mycotoxin-producing potential.

Main Methods:

• Morphological identification of fungal isolates.
• Molecular methods for accurate species identification.
• Sampling of indoor air from six countries for fungal analysis.

Main Results:

• A total of 178 black Aspergillus isolates were identified from the six countries.
• Aspergillus niger was not the sole black Aspergillus species found in indoor air; species distribution varied significantly by country.
• The highest species diversity was recorded in Thailand, and the lowest in Algeria. European countries with temperate climates showed similar distribution patterns.
• Potentially ochratoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi were detected in indoor air from all six surveyed countries.

Conclusions:

• Indoor air harbors diverse black Aspergillus species, with geographical variations in distribution.
• The presence of potentially mycotoxin-producing fungi in indoor environments worldwide warrants further investigation.
• Additional research is crucial to understand the health implications of these fungi and their mycotoxins for humans and animals.